Korean Dictionary
How to say "March 1st Independence Movement Day" in Korean
“March 1st Independence Movement Day” in Korean is 삼일절 (pronounced "samil jeol").
삼일절
samil jeol
Usage & Context
삼일절 on March 1st commemorates the March 1st Independence Movement of 1919 when Koreans proclaimed independence from Japanese colonial rule. It is one of Korea's three major national holidays along with 광복절 and 개천절. National ceremonies are held across Korea on 삼일절 honoring the independence fighters.
Example Sentence
삼일절은 일제강점기에 독립을 선언한 날이에요.
March 1st Day is the day independence was declared during the Japanese colonial period.
How to use 삼일절 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “March 1st Independence Movement Day” is 삼일절, romanized as samil jeol.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 삼일절.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "Sam-il-jeol" like "sahm-EEL-juhl." "Sam" rhymes with "calm." "Il" sounds like "eel." "Jeol" is like "juhl" in "jungle," with a soft 'j' and a short 'uh' sound. The stress is fairly even across the syllables.
More Example Sentences
A family discussing national holidays.
삼일절에는 태극기를 게양해야죠!
We should fly the Korean flag on Samiljeol!
A friend talking about a long weekend.
올해 삼일절은 주말이라서 푹 쉴 수 있었어요.
This year, Samiljeol was on a weekend, so I could rest well.
Someone sharing their experience of a national event.
삼일절 기념식에 참여해서 독립운동가들을 기렸어요.
I participated in the Samiljeol ceremony to honor the independence activists.
Cultural Context
Samiljeol is a deeply significant national holiday, commemorating the 1919 March 1st Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule. It's a day for Koreans to reflect on their history of resistance and national sovereignty. You'll often see the Korean flag (태극기, Taegukgi) displayed on homes and public buildings, and special ceremonies are held to honor the independence fighters. It's a day of solemn remembrance and national pride.
Editorial note
We review entries like 삼일절 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
삼일절 기념식
Samiljeol ceremony
삼일절 노래
Samiljeol song
삼일절 정신
Spirit of Samiljeol
Related Expressions
독립운동
dongnip undong
independence movement
태극기
taegukgi
Korean national flag
국경일
gukgyeongil
national holiday
광복절
gwangbokjeol
Liberation Day (another major national holiday)
More Holidays & Festivals Words
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